LHS boys romp North Gaston

By DAVID KEEVER
LTN Correspondent

Lincolnton’s boys used a 10-point run midway through the fourth quarter to pull away from North Gaston for a 68-47 non-conference basketball victory Tuesday night at Lincolnton.
A stingy defense, coupled with strong rebounding and a good all-around team defensive effort kept the Wildcats at bay all night. The Wolves held North Gaston to just 7 of 30 shooting in the first half to take a 24-16 lead into the break.
Both teams picked up the pace offensively in the second half. Quinlyn Harris scored 13 of his game high 16 points in the second, creating numerous turnovers and turning them into points on the offensive end.
“I told Quinlyn at halftime that we needed Energetic Quinlyn to be there, and that’s what he gave us,” Lincolnton head coach Bob Cowie said following the Wolves second victory in as many nights.
The Wolves could not pull away from the Wildcats, however, until the big run in the final stanza. First a bucket by Ketwan Ingram was followed by an Alex Rhyne put back. Then a Will Saine layup on a pass from Harris got it all started as Lincolnton outscored North Gaston 14-2 to end the game.
Saine, who got into some foul trouble early on, finished with 14 points. Ingram added 13 for the Wolves. Devin McRee led the Wildcats (2-2) with 14 points, while Noah Sadler added 11.
“We’re very happy to be 2-1,” said Cowie, “but we’ve got a lot of work to do.”
The Wolves will have time to do that work in the coming days, as they won’t be back in action until December 18th when they host Forestview.
“I think we’ve got to play with more physical effort and mental effort,” the coach noted. “With time, that will get better.”

NORTH GASTON 58LINCOLNTON 50
Saylor Whitesides had a game-high 30 points but they weren’t enough as North Gaston’s girls held off the Wolves.
Jamie Staley led the Wildcats (3-1) with 17 points, Breanna Davis added 12 and Laisha Fisher had 10.
Lincolnton (2-1) was doubled-up on in the first and third quarters, 18-9 and 12-6.